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Mathematical Instrument by T. S. & J. D. Negus

Mathematical Instrument by T. S. & J. D. Negus

Brothers Thomas S. Negus (1828-1894) and John Davidson Negus (1831-1890), dealers in navigational instruments in New York City, were the sons of English immigrants to the United States. Thomas began dealing in nautical instruments around 1848, and his brother joined him within a few years. The firm remained in business until the 1960s.

This particular instrument consists of a trapezoidal metal frame in which wire may be wound to produce eleven lines converging toward a point outside the short side of the trapezoid. An ivory handle is attached to the side of the trapezoid opposite the shortest. The leftmost wire is not numbered; the remaining wires are numbered from 1 to 10. A mark on the handle reads: TS&J.D.Negus.

No example of this instrument appears in Nevus catalogs from 1899 and from about 1936.